Press release summary:Â
“GoFish, a leading online video network, announced the upcoming launch of an exclusive show called Artist Voices. The program, designed to profile the lives and lifestyles of top musical talents, will provide a forum for major artists to directly connect with their fan base through a unique and interactive experience, leveraging user-generated video and the GoFish Web community.
GoFish will be partnering with The Firm, a Hollywood management company. The Firm, with a client list of music acts including Kelly Clarkson, Korn, Snoop Dogg, and “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks, will be working with GoFish to creatively connect their immensely talented pool of artists with millions of their adoring fans, utilizing the phenomenal popularity of user-generated video online.
“Artist Voices will be the first show of its kind online to harness the power of user-generated video in order to connect famous musical artists and the fans who love them,” said Michael Downing, founder and CEO of GoFish. “We think this show will serve as a model for empowering the creative community to more effectively build and maintain meaningful relationships with their fan base.”
Artist Voices is a nine-week Web-based show that provides consumers with an inside view and exclusive access to some of the biggest musical artists on the planet. Fans are encouraged to upload their own videos to communicate with and pose questions to the artists who, in turn, respond and maintain a dialogue with the audience throughout the program. Whether they are on the road touring or in the studio recording their next big album, Artist Voices enables artists to reach out to their fan base and provide a sneak peek inside their lives.”
Get up close and personal with Taylor Hicks
What a difference a management company makes.  You could use a lesson in effective management, 19 Entertainment - The Firm has done more for Taylor Hicks in six months than you have done for any Idol in 5 years. No one will argue that the American Idol franchise is unsurpassed as far as launching careers, but as far as managing careers, Idol has proven to be more of a hindrance than a help.
Let’s compare, shall we?Â
The Firm:Â rehearsals.com, Go Fish, Orange Bowl half-time show
19 Entertainment: ”From Justin to Kelly”, World Idol, “Idol Christmas”
Okay, I actually don’t know for sure if all Idol missteps and misfortunes can be blamed on 19 Entertainment - I’m sure some responsibility must rest on the label (but isn’t 19E supposed to fight those battles) - but my point is this: No Idol winner has had better, more modern, and widespread exposure for their debut release than Taylor Hicks.  The difference in management companies can’t be a coincidence.Â
It’s 2006, 19E - get with the program…